I agree with Phil below. I think the best way to deal with this is to remove him from duty and pay him until retirement. No fight, no mess, no publicity. 58 is a fine age for pilot retirement. Maybe that's what he wants anyway?
You see Chris, once the problem has been aired on the internet and has gone twice around the planet in less than an hour, bearing your airline corporate image, the only solution for your passengers, your airline, our industry and your union, is an elegant form of termination. Think about the consequences for everbody listed above if an accident happened and it was determined that this known-to-be-sick Captain was the cause... I don't think Air NZ could survive through such a scandal, not another time.
I think it's just darn too late for your Captain. You guys have done a great job but it just didn't work and it's not going to be your fault. He is expected to be fully aware of the consequences for his behaviour.
Also, I can't emphasize enough on what Elias Nikolaidis said about pilot selection. But that's another story...
Jean LaRoche
Aero Innovation inc.
Montreal
Phil R.> You've got a MAJOR problem on your hands here, and I'm
Phil R.> surprised that the airline's management OR the regulatory
Phil R.> authority haven't addressed this matter.......the sky just
Phil R.> isn't the right place for a person like this!
Phil R.>
Phil R.> I'd suggest the only remedy in this case is the "alphabet"
Phil R.> solution, as follows:
Phil R.>
Phil R.> a) the guy has a problem with A B C, i.e., "Attitude"
Phil R.> "Behaviour" & "Communication".........therefore;
Phil R.>
Phil R.> b) invoke the D C M (i.e., DON'T COME MONDAY..... GET RID OF
Phil R.> HIM NOW!!!!).
+ + + + + +
Elias> and if we really have to eliminate the creation of a similar
Elias> situation in the near or distant future, we have to give
Elias> feedback to the selection process. The pilotās selection
Elias> process is perhaps the only opportunity we have, as an
Elias> aviation, airline, community, to leave these types of
Elias> personalities (which may work perfectly in a very competitive
Elias> environment, other than the airline) outside the loop.